#041 Pelvic health series - No One Told Me This! Football, Hormones & Health with Michelle Lyons

In this episode of The Women’s Football Hub, host Sarah Thorne sits down with the brilliant Michelle Lyons, physiotherapist, educator, and global women’s health advocate. Together, they dive into one of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of female athlete wellbeing: pelvic health and hormonal changes across the lifespan.

From menstrual health and RED-s to perimenopause and injury prevention, Michelle shares evidence-based insights that every player, coach, and club needs to hear. Whether you're managing young athletes at puberty or supporting rec-league players in their 40s, this episode is packed with practical advice, compassionate understanding, and game-changing strategies to help keep women and girls in football for life.

🔑 Key Talking Points:

• Why pelvic health matters for footballers of all ages

• Understanding the impact of hormonal changes from puberty to perimenopause

• The crucial role of strength training in reducing injury risk and improving performance

• How to identify early signs of RED-s and low energy availability

• Stress, sleep, and gut health: The invisible influences on injury and performance

• Empowering coaches to create safe environments for honest health conversations

• Screening tools, resources, and tips for implementation in grassroots clubs

👩‍⚕️ About Our Guest:

Michelle Lyons is an internationally recognised physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience, specialising in pelvic health, women’s health, and integrative rehabilitation. She is part of FIFA’s Female Health Working Group and a passionate advocate for keeping women in sport by removing taboo and stigma around the female body. She also delivers postgraduate courses for healthcare professionals and frequently shares her wisdom via social media and podcasts.

📱 Find Michelle on Instagram: @MichelleLyons_Muliebrity

📣 Call to Action:

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